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Before we begin, you must understand the difference. An iCloud bypass is NOT a permanent unlock. It is a tethered or semi-tethered workaround that hides the activation screen.
Legal Note: This guide is for educational purposes and for owners who have lost their original proof of purchase. Bypassing a phone you do not own is illegal.
No. Because the iPhone 5 is 32-bit, there is no way to permanently "unlock" iCloud on 10.3.4 using Windows. The only permanent solution is to contact Apple with a valid receipt (original purchase proof). The store's Genius Bar can remove Activation Lock via their internal tools.
The term "bypass" in this context is often a misnomer. There are two primary methods used on Windows platforms: the "Signal Bypass" and the "MEID/GSM Bypass."
Now disconnect the iPhone and switch back to Windows.
The Result: The iPhone 5 will respring and land on the Home Screen. Important: If you turn the phone off, the bypass resets, and you must repeat steps 2 & 3.
Before we dive into the bypass, you need to understand why 10.3.4 matters. In late 2019, Apple released iOS 10.3.4 specifically for the iPhone 5. If your device is on an older version (like 10.3.3), the GPS and date/time will break, preventing iMessage, FaceTime, and App Store connectivity.
If your phone is already on 10.3.4, you are in the "Goldilocks zone." If not, you will need to update (which is risky because updating usually re-locks the phone).
This hides the activation screen but fails on many 10.3.4 units due to Apple patching.
Result:
The iPhone 5 utilizes the A6 System on Chip (SoC). Unlike the A7 and later chips, the A6 does not possess a Secure Enclave Processor (SEP). The security of the device relies on the Secure Boot Chain and the "restricter" mechanisms.
In a locked state, the device boots into a specialized "Restore Environment" (the Connect to iTunes screen). The kernel here is restricted, the UI is minimal, and the primary function is to query Apple's activation servers for the status of the device's Unique Device Identifier (UDID).